During the reign of Dom João V (1706-1750), Portugal was suddenly bursting with important works of art and attracting great artists from all over Europe. And in Lisbon, you will find some of the finest examples of the exoticism and grandeur of Portuguese baroque.

Start the Igreja da Madre de Deus, a church boasting an interior that is completely covered with carved and gilded woodwork and decorative tiles. After this, move on to Bairro Alto, one of the city’s oldest districts, where you will find the Igreja de São Roque with its ‘valuable’ chapel.

Before taking in the breathtaking spectacle of the coaches of Dom João V, at the Museu dos Coches, pass by the Aqueduto das Águas Livres, which has the highest stone arch in the world.

There are architectural jewels to be found just outside Lisbon too, which you should do your best to visit, such as the Convento de Mafra, 40 kilometres from the city, and one of the country’s most important baroque creations.

On your return to Lisbon, allow yourself to be seduced by the charms of Sintra. The enchanting countryside that surrounds the town has been classified by UNESCO as a world cultural landscape.